China LNG deal thrusts WA into spotlight in lead up to global energy conference

22/08/2002 10:35 AM

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22/8/02

State Development Minister Clive Brown says the timing of last week’s massive China LNG contract will thrust Western Australia’s energy industry to the forefront of one of the world’s leading energy conferences later this month.

Mr Brown said the deal also underscored the behind-the-scenes efforts of the State’s overseas trade network - particularly the Shanghai office - in helping secure the contract.

“The announcement of the contract this week is fantastic news and the timing is spot-on - just two weeks before one of the world’s biggest oil and gas engineering expos,” he said.

“The Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) Conference is due to get under way in Stavanger, Norway, from August 27-30.

“A WA delegation will be taking part at ONS and news of the China LNG contract will firmly put the spotlight on WA and the North-West Shelf.

“Basically, WA’s North-West Shelf development will be the talking point of the conference - what more positive publicity could you ask for?”

An investment and trade stand at the ONS conference will be set up, featuring Woodside Energy, CSIRO Petroleum and other industry participants.

The stand: ‘Western Australia - The Energy State’ will promote and position the State's oil and gas equipment, services and related scientific industry sectors.

The stand will also market the Australian Marine Complex - Cockburn Sound - in conjunction with JBFM-Babcock.

As well, WA has been invited by the ONS organisers to participate in a series of country/market briefings.

“Our briefing (Oil and Gas Activity in Western Australia - a Business Opportunity) is another great vehicle to promote WA and international infrastructure projects such as the Australian Marine Complex at Cockburn Sound to the world,” Mr Brown said.

The Minister said the China contract also underscored the foresight of the Government’s decision to spend more than $130million on infrastructure for the Burrup Peninsula.

“We committed that money precisely to attract and support such ventures and further downstream opportunities for the Burrup,” he said.